Use LIFE to empower people to grow

10/04/07 10:38 Filed in: LIFE skills
People want to grow. You want to grow. People you know want to grow. And you can empower them to grow by using LIFE.

What’s LIFE? A set of 4 skills:
  • Listening
  • Inquiring
  • Focusing
  • Encouraging
God is growing his people. And he uses LIFE:
  • God Listens to our prayers.
  • God Inquires of us through questions that he asks, that others ask, and that are raised in his Word.
  • God Focuses us on growth areas during trials.
  • God Encourages us through his Word, his people, and his blessings.
Yes, God uses LIFE, as do people who believe in others, people who empower others to grow:
  • People that believe in others Listen instead of talking.
  • People that believe in others Inquire instead of advising.
  • People that believe in others Focus others on defining their own goals, instead of suggesting goals.
  • People that believe in others Encourage instead of criticizing.
LIFE targets motivation. And since growing is more about motivation than information, you can you use LIFE to empower others to grow.
  • To target motivation, Listen to others. Really listen. When people feel listened to, they share. And as they share, they clarify their motivations.
  • To target motivation, Inquire of others. Ask questions: What’s your goal? What’s your motivation? What 3 dreams do you want to make real?
  • To target motivation, Focus others on their passions and empower them to turn their passions into defined goals.
  • To target motivation, Encourage others to talk about their interests and dreams. As they talk, say things like, “Tell me more.”
In addition to targeting motivation, LIFE empowers people to take responsibility. Since people grow as they take responsibility by defining, committing to, and achieving their goals, you can use LIFE to help people to grow.
  • To empower people, Listen to them. Listen in order to help them talk through what their goals are. Help them take responsibility by listening, instead of talking.
  • To empower people, Inquire about their goals. Help them take responsibility by asking questions, instead of suggesting goals.
  • To empower people, Focus them on their goals. Help them take responsibility by asking them to define SMART goals and SMART action steps.
  • To empower people, Encourage them to achieve their goals. Help them take responsibility by having them talk about progress on their goals.
Use LIFE to demonstrate you believe in others, to target motivation, and to empower others to take responsibility. Use LIFE today. God is.